Weather Averages in Tampa
In this article, we shall be discussing the climate, weather, average temperature, and average precipitation here in the Tampa Bay Area.
The Tampa Bay area has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) zone, although due to its location on the Florida peninsula on Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it shows some characteristics of a tropical climate. Tampa’s climate generally features hot and humid summers with frequent thunderstorms and dry and mild winters. Average highs range from 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C) year-round, and lows 52 to 76 °F (11 to 24 °C). The city of Tampa is split between two USDA climate zones. According to the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Tampa is listed as USDA zone 9b north of Kennedy Boulevard away from the bay and 10a near the shorelines and in the interbay peninsula south of Kennedy Boulevard, Zone 10a is about the northern limit of where coconut palms and royal palms can be grown, although some specimens do grow in northern Tampa. Recently, certain palm tree species in the area, along with the rest of the state, have been and continue to be severely affected by a plant disease called Texas phoenix palm decline, which has caused a lot of damage to various local palm tree landscapes and threatens the native palm tree species in the region.
Though threatened by tropical systems almost every hurricane season (which runs from June 1 to November 30), Tampa seldom feels major effects from tropical storms or hurricanes. No hurricane has made landfall in the immediate Tampa Bay area since the 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane made landfall near Tarpon Springs and caused extensive damage throughout the region.
Three major hurricanes have seriously threatened Tampa in the ensuing decades. Hurricane Donna (1960), Hurricane Charley (2004), and Hurricane Irma (2017) were each forecast to make landfall in Tampa Bay from the southwest, a worst-case track that would result in maximum storm surges throughout the region. However, all three storms turned to the east and made landfall in southwest Florida instead. Irma had the greatest effect on Tampa. It made landfall near Marco Island on September 10, 2017 and moved due north, passing through eastern Hillsborough County as a Category 1 storm. Irma caused substantial damage to the area, particularly to the electrical grid.
Because of tremendous population growth and coastal development since the last hurricane strike combined with rising sea levels due to climate change, Tampa and the entire Tampa Bay area is considered one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to a direct hit from a major storm.
Here is a breakdown of temperatures in the Tampa Bay Area. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit, while all precipitation measurements are in inches.
In January, average maximum temperature is 70 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 52 degrees. Precipitation total is 2.3.
In February, average maximum temperature is 72 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 54. Precipitation total is 2.7.
In March, average maximum temperature is 76 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 59. Precipitation total is 2.8.
In April, average maximum temperature is 81 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 62. Precipitation total is 1.8.
In May, average maximum temperature is 86 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 69. Precipitation total is 2.9.
In June, average maximum temperature is 89 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 74. Precipitation total is 5.5.
In July, average maximum temperature is 90 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 75. Precipitation total is 6.5.
In August, average maximum temperature is 90 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 75. Precipitation total is 7.6.
In September, average maximum temperature is 89 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 74. Precipitation total is 6.5.
In October, average maximum temperature is 84 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 68. Precipitation total is 2.3.
In November, average maximum temperature is 78 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 61. Precipitation total is 1.6.
In December, average maximum temperature is 72 degrees, while average minimum temperature is 55. Precipitation total is 2.3.